Monday, 20 January 2014

Last
Saturday, I lost someone who inspired me from a distance. A person whom I never
met or spoke to but will wait and listen to him, for few minutes to get inspired
before leaving for school when I was a girl. His rise at BBC, was something
that always had my heart swelled with pride – the pride of being Ghanaian, the
pride of being an African and filled with so much inspiration to make an impact
in this our world for he gave me the hope that I can make it. I was in love
with his objectiveness, professionalism, his love for his Maker, family,
friends, his country, for his continent and for people. So last Saturday, when
this Black Star fell, you can imagine the big blow death has given me.

Some news have reported his death as due to a cardiac arrest and other news and posts on Facebook say
he struggled with blood pressure which nearly got him to suffer a stroke last
year.Only his doctors can tell for sure. But these news caused my public health nutrition mind to think of Non-communicable diseases and to write this post.

Non-communicable
diseases which include cardiovascular diseases have
become the leading cause of reported deaths globally. Unhealthy
lifestyle which includes the list below are their main risk factors.

1. Poor
diet: diets high in fat, high in sugar, high in salt

2 2. Inadequate
physical activity

3 3. Not
getting enough rest

4 4. Harmful
use of alcohol

5 5. Smoking

Non-communicable diseases impact negatively on
the economies of the world as the costs associated with their morbidity
and mortalilty are high and hence requiring an urgent need for us to PREVENT them.

As the main
risk factors of non-communicable diseases are lifestyle choices, we can prevent
them by modifying any unhealthy behaviour we may be engaging in, by;

1 1. Cutting
down on our salt intake, at most 6g/day.

2 2. Including
small amount of food high in fat and sugar to our diet.

3 3.Including
more fruits and vegetables in our diet, at least 5 different fruits and vegetables a day.

4 4. Reading
food labels to know the amount of food nutrient, a food product will be
contributing to our diet.

7 7. If
you drink, not doing so above the recommended amount (read more here)

8 8. If
you smoke, seeking help to quit.

9 9. Regularly
going for medical check-up, among others.

My Black star
who I am bidding farewell today, who in my heart will live, and continually
inspire me to be better and to help build a new Africa, died at 41. He
accomplished a lot . How I wish he
could still enjoy life to the fullest and live it to the longest to continually
impact the youth of Africa towards a new Africa. But I know, he has left a
great legacy and posterity will always remember him.

Fare thee
well you who has inspired me for more over 10 years, fare thee well you who gave me hope
of a new Africa, Fare thee well Gallant Black Star, The Hope of Africa, Fare
thee well the Boss Player.

Till we meet
again, rest in peace.

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